J. Richard and Mary Chase Leadership Program

Experiences

The first year provides experiences that focus your attention on personal spiritual formation, character development, and personal responsibility. 

You'll begin your experience with Passage, the orientation program of Wheaton College. During the year you'll participate in a retreat at HoneyRock and complete a service oriented school year practicum.

Coursework

Your Passage experience is a 2-credit course called Introduction to Spiritual Formation. In the spring semester you'll take another 2-credit course called Foundations of Leadership.

Mentoring

During this year you'll meet Advisory Council members, connect with a running partner, and receive coaching from Chase Program staff. 

Experiences

The second year turns your attention to leading others. The first experience is a retreat at HoneyRock and the second is the hallmark experience of spending a summer in a leadership school at HoneyRock. This summer position is paid. 

Coursework

In the Fall you'll take a four-credit course called Discipleship. As followers of Christ, we are called to go and make disciples of all nations. While not a traditional component of a leadership program, it's foundational to Chase.

In the Spring a course called Leadership Development will prepare you for a summer of ministry at HoneyRock. This course integrates the previous three (Intro to Spiritual Formation, Foundations of Leadership, and Discipleship) and readies you to minister and serve youth and young adults.

Mentoring

Mentorship will continue in this year in the form of running partners, Advisory Council connections, group meetings, assessment tools, and more.

Experiences

Leading teams serves as the theme for year three. You'll participate in Innovation Scholars with the Center for Faith and Innovation. You'll again retreat to HoneyRock. Finally, you'll complete a campus, community, or paid HoneyRock-based Practicum. This practicum will require you to be in a peer leadership position.

Coursework

The first course is a four-credit class called Leadership and Human Systems. The second of the year is an elective of your choice with the approval of the program director. It's recommended that this is an upper-level course of your major. 

Mentoring

Mentorship will continue in this year in the form of running partners, Advisory Council connections, group meetings, assessment tools, and more.

Experiences

This final year of the certificate has three distinct leadership experiences: Lead Passage in a paid role, complete an internship, and coach first-year Chase participants. 

Coursework

Your first course is actually your internship. The Chase staff team will help you network and find an internship that integrates your major and/or area of interest with a leadership opportunity. 

The second course of the year, Integrative Leadership Seminar, occurs as an intensive. This is a comprehensive reflection on your college experience to date and seeks to bring together your leadership coursework, experience, and reflections alongside your major.

Mentoring

Mentorship will continue in this year in the form of running partners, Advisory Council connections, group meetings, assessment tools, and more.